Blast off for new 900hp Brabus Rocket
Brabus sold out the last G-Class Rocket in no time at all, so now it's making a few more of them...
Business is booming at Brabus - or so it would seem. Because barely a fortnight passes now without another wild G-Class coming at us: it might have portal axles, it might be a convertible, it might be a pickup - a combination of all three must be next. There’s seemingly no stopping the enthusiasm for ever crazier variants, from both customer and creator.
So, of course, the 900 Rocket Edition is back. The pinnacle of the Brabus G-Class range, it boasts all that we’ve come to expect from the 900hp Brabuses, but installs them in a 2,640kg car that never really needed such insane power. Then adds 24-inch wheels with a nod to the three-spoke rims of the past, Brabus Masterpiece leather, and paints it Signature Black. Or Stealth Grey, for those that want something a bit different. If the Brabus formula ain’t broke - and the people keep coming - then it’s not going to be fixed anytime soon.
The engine remains the Brabus USP, surely. Even as ‘just’ a G63, with 585hp from the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, Mercedes’ SUV icon feels like a landborne speedboat, prow rising with every throttle application and the well of performance seemingly limitless. So imagine the sensation of a 4.5-litre G63 (thank you, new crank, forged pistons and rods), one with Brabus’s own turbos boosting to 1.4 bar and a valve-controlled side exit exhaust. It’s going to be insane, and probably even worth the 14mpg combined. 900hp and 774lb ft (some way from the V8’s 922lb ft maximum, to protect the gearbox) mean 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds and 149mph potential.
It would surely go faster still, even allowing for the weight and aero, but there are the wheels and tyres to think about. The Rocket 900 rolls on 24-inch monoblocks, a giant 295-section at the front and 355-section at the rear with precious little profile. It’s probably to everyone’s benefit that they don’t do more than 150mph. Plus, the slower you overtake, the longer passers-by have to see the new carbon rear wing, the beefed-up arches and illuminated Brabus badge.
You probably don’t need us to explain the rest. The interior is a feast of carbon fibre, leather and Dinamica microfibre, there are ‘Double-B’ logos everywhere, and the bonnet housing that monster V8 gets a Brabus powerdome. In case there was ever any doubt about just what this G-Class really is. Oh yeah, and a Brabus weekender travel bag is also thrown in.
In 2021, when there was last a Rocket 900, Brabus made 25 of them. Seemingly demand must have exceeded supply (told you they were popular), as this time around there will be 30 Rockets built in Bottrop. The price? Best sit down: €569,900 plus VAT. Given that base price is basically half a million pounds at the moment, call it £600k to be sure. Huge even by Brabus standards - this 850hp car is for sale in the UK at £430,000. But if only the biggest, baddest and burliest Brabus will do (you sense it might for some customers), then here’s the car. Don’t be surprised if the Rocket returns in another few years, either - gotta give the people what they want, after all…
Prefer a G class less overdone, more utilitarian, become a sort of parody of themselves in some cases.
They do, based on Harry Metcalfes latest video do seem to handle quite nicely, despite expectations and how they look, he was very positive.
I know they are hated and very marmite but I absolutely love them.
I have one booked for hire next month in the UAE - I usually grab a G Wagon when out there but decided I would get one for a couple of days.
A chap I get all my vehicles off has 2 in his fleet - £400 a day which I thought was not bad considering it's value and the fact it's a legit G900 Rocket and not a replica like the majority of them.
We are moving to the UAE and G wagons are so much cheaper out there, we were just about to pull the trigger on one here but then relocation came about and thankfully we had not.
Prefer a G class less overdone, more utilitarian, become a sort of parody of themselves in some cases.
They do, based on Harry Metcalfes latest video do seem to handle quite nicely, despite expectations and how they look, he was very positive.
-Long distance cruising
-occasional off-roading
-battling major snowstorms and winter generally
-towing another car on a trailer
I have some sports cars for track and higher speed stuff.
The vehicle appears to be OK for long distance cruising, ( maybe low-speed parading in London), but nothing else. I don't get the appeal. Like the very odd coupé versions of things like the Cayenne it appears functionless.
Prefer a G class less overdone, more utilitarian, become a sort of parody of themselves in some cases.
They do, based on Harry Metcalfes latest video do seem to handle quite nicely, despite expectations and how they look, he was very positive.
He knows what he is doing I expect, its not Hyundai Tucson now is it ?
It also needs to be unique enough that it fits in with all of the other ‘I’m seriously rich’ brigade that will have the same unique car.
Ps 900hp, brilliantly bonkers
I am a big fan of the G63, but a bigger fan of the old Brabus Rocket:
A W257 CLS with a 900hp V8 would be the modern equivalent, and so much more appealing than a ton of power applied to thus collection of girders and half a shipping container....
I know they are hated and very marmite but I absolutely love them.
I have one booked for hire next month in the UAE - I usually grab a G Wagon when out there but decided I would get one for a couple of days.
A chap I get all my vehicles off has 2 in his fleet - £400 a day which I thought was not bad considering it's value and the fact it's a legit G900 Rocket and not a replica like the majority of them.
We are moving to the UAE and G wagons are so much cheaper out there, we were just about to pull the trigger on one here but then relocation came about and thankfully we had not.
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